Annual report for the year 1905 (8th year of issue) / Metropolitan Asylums Board.

  • Metropolitan Asylums Board (London, England)
Date:
1906
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Annual report for the year 1905 (8th year of issue) / Metropolitan Asylums Board. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    41/396 (page 11)
    APPENDIX 3, t REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS IN LUNACY ON VISITS TO ASYLUMS DURING THE YEAR 1905. A—CATERHAM ASYLUM. Lunacy Commission, 66, Victoria Street, S.W., 15th February, 1905. On the 10th February, 1905, we paid our annual visit of inspection to the Caterham Metropolitan Asylum. We found it in very good order throughout, and were glad to observe many evidences of its capable administration. The day rooms were bright, cheerful and comfortable, and the dormitories and bedding clean, and otherwise in good condition. While ornaments, pictures, and other objects of interest of that kind abounded, however, we noticed a conspicuous absence of simple and amusing bound books, and we regretted this, because we know how much they are appreciated by patients, and how largely they add to their freedom from excitement and general contentment. Since the last visit the single rooms have been efficiently ventilated, telephones introduced, fire alarms installed, and 11 new sanitary annexes provided. In these last, and in many of the older w.cs. and lobbies thereto, are brackets, pipes, cisterns, and other points of suspension which might be made dangerous use of by suicidal patients such as obtain admission into asylums even of this class. They should be forthwith removed, or otherwise made safe. A block in each division has been recently converted into infirmary wards, and has added much to the nursing facilities of the institution, now so severely taxed by the feeble character of a large and increasing proportion of the admissions. There has been some slight diminution in numbers during the past year, but we thought some of the larger day rooms overcrowded, and the restless and less orderly demeanour of their inmates, as compared with those of the smaller wards, was very observable. The dress and personal condition of the patients generally were creditably good, and although we had, of course, numerous appeals for discharge from persons quite unfit for it, we had no complaints of roughness on the part of the staff. We saw a good dinner of roast pork, potatoes, and bread served in an orderly manner, and we satisfied ourselves that the dietary is adequate. The arrangements for the occupation, amusement, attendance at religious service, and exercise of the patients continue to be liberal and satisfactory. Of the 1,916 patients (873 males and 1,043 females) whom we saw, and to each of whom we gave the opportunity of speech with us, at our visit, 375, or the larger [? large] proportion of 18 per cent., were epileptics, all of them sleeping- under constant supervision. 120, or 6 per cent., of them had wetted their beds on the previous night, and 3